Google has removed some of India‘s most important applications from the Play Store over its payment issue, sparking a fresh row between the Indian government and Google.
According to a foreign news agency, Google on Friday removed popular Indian matrimonial app ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ as well as job search app ‘Nukri’ from its Play Store.
Google says that these applications did not follow the guidelines regarding service fee payments due to which they have been removed from the Play Store.
India’s Information Technology Minister Ashwani Vaishnu rejected Google’s move, saying that such removal of applications from the App Store would not be allowed.
He said that Google has already been talked to and I will also talk to startups that need to be protected in the country.
The removal of the application from the Play Store has been criticized by several startup companies that have long protested against Google’s modus operandi and even challenged it in the courts.
Google says this service fee is used to improve the Play Store and the Android ecosystem.
Some Indian startups had approached the court against the 11-26 percent service fee charged by Google, but in January and February this year, two Indian courts, including the Supreme Court, upheld Google’s charge of this fee. Permission was granted.
In this regard, Google said in a statement on Friday that some of the Indian companies that received huge amounts of money as payments had decided not to pay us fees from that amount.
The most affected in this regard is the wedding company ‘Matri Money.com’ whose more than 150 applications have been removed from the Play Store by Google.
“All our applications have been removed and are no longer available on the Play Store, which means we are out of business,” said Mauro Gavel Janaki Raman, founder of Matri Money.com, while talking to a news agency on Saturday. .
He said that if all this continues for a long time, our profits will decrease significantly.
Apart from this, the popular application ‘Job’ and a real estate application have also been removed by Google from the Play Store.
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**What are the implications of Google’s app removal for local developers in India?**
**Interview with Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Technology Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kumar. There has been a significant development involving Google and some prominent Indian apps. Can you explain what happened?
**Dr. Kumar:** Certainly! Recently, Google removed two major Indian applications from its Play Store: the matrimonial app ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ and the job search platform ‘Nukri’. Google’s action stems from claims that these apps did not adhere to the Play Store’s guidelines regarding service fee payments. This has ignited a renewed conflict between the Indian government and Google, which is concerning for both developers and users.
**Editor:** Why is the removal of these apps particularly impactful for India?
**Dr. Kumar:** The apps that were removed serve crucial functions in Indian society. ‘Bharat Matri Muni’ helps connect individuals for marriage, a significant cultural aspect in India, while ‘Nukri’ offers employment opportunities, which are vital in a country with high unemployment rates. Removing these apps not only disrupts their services but also raises questions about the monopolistic practices of large tech companies and their influence on local economies.
**Editor:** How has the Indian government reacted to this situation?
**Dr. Kumar:** India’s Information Technology Minister, Ashwani Vaishnu, has voiced strong opposition to Google’s decision. He stated that this type of removal of apps from the Play Store is unacceptable and that such actions shouldn’t be tolerated. This reflects a growing sentiment in the Indian government to assert more control and oversight over foreign tech companies that operate in India.
**Editor:** Do you think this conflict will lead to any changes in policy or regulations regarding app stores in India?
**Dr. Kumar:** It’s possible. The Indian government may push for stricter regulations that protect local developers and ensure fair treatment in app stores. We might see a movement toward a regulated framework that holds companies like Google accountable, promoting a more equitable environment for app developers.
**Editor:** What are the potential implications for app developers in India moving forward?
**Dr. Kumar:** Developers are likely to face increased scrutiny and complexity in navigating app store guidelines. Additionally, they may need to be more vigilant about ensuring compliance with payment structures to avoid similar issues. However, this could also encourage innovation in alternative platforms that are more favorable to local developers.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kumar. It seems like we are witnessing a pivotal moment in the relationship between tech giants and local governments.
**Dr. Kumar:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important issue that will undoubtedly evolve in the coming months.
